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Chapter 1
Emily Porter never quite fit the college stereotype. As a sophomore at Willowdale University, she had chosen this small, quiet campus not for its prestige or academic rigor, but because it felt like a place where she could disappear. Willowdale was nestled between thick woods and rolling hills, and there was always a sense of tranquility lingering in the air. Emily loved that. Here, she could sink into her studies and the serenity of her routine.
On this crisp fall afternoon, Emily sat at her usual table in the library. She had positioned herself strategically in a corner, surrounded by books she never meant to read. She liked to think they were there for company—silent friends who would never ask for anything. She gazed out the tall, arched window beside her, watching leaves twirl to the ground in shades of red, orange, and yellow.
Across from her sat Sarah Hart, her best friend and polar opposite. With her vibrant red hair, easy laugh, and a confidence that drew people in like a magnet, Sarah seemed to fit the college mold perfectly. She was the kind of person who could walk into a room and instantly belong, while Emily preferred the safety of shadows.
"Hey, you're doing it again," Sarah teased, nudging Emily's notebook with a sly grin.
Emily blinked, realizing she'd been staring at nothing in particular. "Doing what?"
"Staring off into the void," Sarah teased, giving her a playful nudge. "I'm starting to think you're plotting something."
Emily chuckled, tucking a stray strand of hair behind her ear. "If only my life were interesting enough to plot anything," she said with a smile, though the truth was she enjoyed the calm simplicity of her days. She didn't crave drama or excitement—she liked things just as they were.
"Well, I think it's time for a shake-up. You know what they say about people who spend too much time alone, right?" Sarah gave her a mischievous look.
Emily sighed, sensing where this was going. "Enlighten me."
"They get boring." Sarah leaned forward, her eyes glinting with excitement. "Which is why I, your best friend and social coach, have decided to play matchmaker."
Emily rolled her eyes, already anticipating her friend's suggestion. "Sarah, you think everyone is perfect for me. That's why I don't trust your matchmaking skills."
Sarah put her hand over her heart in mock hurt. "Ouch. But this one's different! Rumor has it he's new in our Literature of the Gothic course. Brooding, quiet, tall—and definitely mysterious. Just your type."
"Just my type," Emily echoed, laughing a little. "Since when did I have a type?"
"Since you started spending more time with books than with people. Besides," Sarah added, grinning, "what could be better than a real-life gothic hero?"
"Maybe… a quiet semester?" Emily teased back, trying to change the subject. But a small part of her was curious. She'd seen people come and go in her classes, but no one had ever quite caught her attention like Sarah was describing.
Just then, as if on cue, the library doors creaked open, and Emily's gaze was drawn to the entrance. She spotted him immediately—tall, with a lean frame and messy dark hair that looked like he'd barely tried to tame it. He wore a worn navy jacket and had an expression that was both intense and distant, like he was somewhere else entirely. Emily felt an odd pull, a strange sense of recognition, though she couldn't explain why.
"That's him!" Sarah whispered, squeezing Emily's arm in excitement.
"He looks… lost," Emily murmured, feeling a flicker of empathy. The look in his eyes felt familiar in a way, like he carried something heavy he didn't want to share. She knew that feeling all too well.
"Well, go talk to him!" Sarah urged, nudging her out of her seat. "I mean, come on, how often do you meet someone who could actually make you swoon?"
Emily's heart fluttered at the thought, but she quickly dismissed it. She wasn't looking for romance, not really. Romance was for people who craved drama and excitement—things she actively avoided. Yet, as she watched him make his way towards the back of the library, she felt a tug of curiosity that surprised her.
"Fine," Emily sighed, giving in to Sarah's relentless encouragement. "But if this goes horribly wrong, I'm blaming you."
Sarah grinned, her eyes lighting up. "You won't regret it. I've got a feeling about this."
Taking a deep breath, Emily pushed herself up from the table, her palms sweating slightly as she walked toward the bookshelves where he'd disappeared. She wasn't usually this bold, but something about him—the quiet way he carried himself, the air of mystery—made her want to reach out.
As she turned the corner, she found him standing alone by a stack of classic novels, his back to her. Gathering her courage, she cleared her throat softly.
"Hi," she said, surprised at how steady her voice sounded.
Max turned slowly, his gaze meeting hers with an intensity that made her catch her breath. His eyes were a deep, thoughtful gray, framed by dark lashes, and he looked at her as if he were assessing her. Emily felt a wave of nervousness, but she kept her ground.
"Uh, sorry to bother you," she continued, her cheeks warming under his gaze. "You're in the Gothic lit class, right?"
Max's eyes softened slightly, though a guarded look remained. "Yeah. You're… Emily?"
"Yeah," she replied, a little taken aback that he knew her name. "I, uh, noticed you were new. I thought I'd say hi."
Max's expression shifted, as if he were surprised by her kindness. He looked down for a moment before meeting her eyes again. "Thanks. It's… nice to meet you, too."
For a moment, they stood in silence, both seemingly unsure of what to say next. Emily couldn't tell if he was shy, uninterested, or simply uncomfortable. She started to feel like she'd made a mistake.
But then he spoke, his voice quiet and sincere. "It's a bit overwhelming here," he admitted, his tone low, as if he were sharing a secret.
Emily nodded, understanding exactly what he meant. "I get that. College can feel like… a lot sometimes. But the library's a good place to hide if you ever need it. Trust me, I've spent more time here than I'd like to admit."
A faint smile touched Max's lips, softening the hard lines of his face. "Good to know."
The connection surprised her, a feeling that this stranger somehow understood her in a way she hadn't expected. "If you need any recommendations for books or places to avoid, I'm your girl," she added, hoping to keep the conversation going.
Max's gaze lingered on her, his expression warming just a little more. "Thanks, Emily," he said softly, and for a brief moment, he looked almost at ease.
As she gave a small wave and turned to leave, she felt a strange thrill flutter through her—a sense of possibility that was as exciting as it was unfamiliar. She returned to Sarah, who was watching her with a grin that said I told you so.
"Well?" Sarah asked, practically bouncing in her seat. "How'd it go?"
Emily hesitated, choosing her words carefully. "He's… quiet," she said, trying to downplay the strange feeling lingering in her chest.
"Quiet? That's it?" Sarah groaned, looking disappointed.
"Sometimes, quiet is enough," Emily replied with a small smile. The truth was, she felt like there was something beneath that quiet exterior, something she couldn't quite put her finger on.
As they gathered their things to leave, Emily found herself glancing back toward the bookshelves. Max still stood there, looking as though he belonged to a world only he could see. And though she barely knew him, she had a feeling their paths would cross again.
She couldn't say why, but something told her this was only the beginning.
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